12v and 110v and techquestions
Hello, I have just started to look for my first RV travel trailer and I had a few questions. First off I am am a bit of a tech lover. I do well with wiring diagrams and schematics, but I just ca...
Forum Discussion
Few people seem to get solar (size) right the first time because few are doing a proper energy audit before. That's why - go big. Install 30-50% more than you "think" you need. This is a better assurance of doing it right than energy audit, because it's not easy to do energy audit right - you have to make notes of battery charge and compare this against estimated solar harvest for your area on different days at different times of the year, aiming to harvest enough during the worst and longest spell of bad weather.
This is - if one of top priorities is to minimize or eliminate the use of generator. If generator use is a "no problem", or if this is a truck camper driven frequently, or if periods of offgrid stay are short, then audit requirements become lax and consequences of making a mistake are less serious.
Another reason why people can't get solar right the first time is that they are stingy, trying to save a few bucks on smaller arrays and cheaper controllers. It's a permanent install that you will have to live with for many years. Adding panels to PWM install is a pain. Upgrading PWM beyond 400-500W is a pain. Upgrading PWM to MPPT and adding more wattage is more pain yet.
9000ft with possible snow? Not my cap of tea. Like Mr Wiz said, low temps and snow cover will affect your solar a lot. And so will UV.
This is - if one of top priorities is to minimize or eliminate the use of generator. If generator use is a "no problem", or if this is a truck camper driven frequently, or if periods of offgrid stay are short, then audit requirements become lax and consequences of making a mistake are less serious.
Another reason why people can't get solar right the first time is that they are stingy, trying to save a few bucks on smaller arrays and cheaper controllers. It's a permanent install that you will have to live with for many years. Adding panels to PWM install is a pain. Upgrading PWM beyond 400-500W is a pain. Upgrading PWM to MPPT and adding more wattage is more pain yet.
9000ft with possible snow? Not my cap of tea. Like Mr Wiz said, low temps and snow cover will affect your solar a lot. And so will UV.
